What sex and Facebook have in common

I was listening to the radio and the topic of the morning was, "When a person posts a pic on FB and someone "likes" it, the attention is comparable to sex."

My first thought was, "A lot of people are having bad sex."

As I pondered it closer, I guess the entire reason why we posts pics is for others to see. Some people like the attention a little more than others. I'm just not sold on how this could have the same benefits as intimacy.

Are we, as a society, spending too much time and thought on FB? After all, who'd rather stalk friends on FB than leave the house? One can't buy the type of entertainment you can get for free on social networks. With the economy being as tight as it is, this is a huge appeal for FB surfers.

I can't judge, and I'm not. I have an FB account and don't realize how much I love it until the network is down and I can't log in. I have over 500 pics posted ranging from those dreadful self-clicks to good times with the fam. I think I even have some party shots thrown in there. What's terribly frustrating for me is that my sweetheart could care less about FB. He logs in maybe once a month !!! And when he does log in, he only sees a sliver of posts. So, if I post a comment telling him how much I love him he'll never see it.

Okay...pulling this subject back on track...

Here's a thought: If it's true that someone "liking" one's pic is the same adrenaline rush as sex, maybe one should put less effort at the keyboard and more effort in the bedroom? But what do I know? I'm not complaining...  

The Joy of Summer

Summer is here, and boy is it chaotic at my house. Unfortunately, my WIP has taken a detour as other events take its place on my list of priorities. If I get two-thousand words in a day, I consider myself lucky. I find that I have to slow myself down and enjoy the finer details of this time of year, even if some days I feel like my kids have stolen my mind.

Some of my favorite things (besides my fam, of course) are right outside my doorstep. The sunshine is my true beloved. It can definitely perk up my day. This morning in the ol neighborhood the birds are chirping merrily, childrens' laughter is in abundance, the sound of the light breeze swirling through the trees mixes with the whirling engine of a mower.

I'm also a Farmer's Market fan. Not much can compare to fresh fruits and vegetables. Bright red tomatoes, watermelons that are almost too big for me to carry, sweet corn, and an array of jellies and jams.

My grandmother made pickled corn. She'd fill large crocks with corn and other ingredients and place them in the cellar until the corn was pickled to her liking. I'm not sure she had a time frame, but she just knew when it was ready. It's a memory I'll never forget. It was a treat to gather around as she'd lift the lid. The pungent smell of her corn filled the room. The first bite was always the winner. My mouth waters at the mere thought. I'd love to have some of her special corn right now. My aunt was the only one who had corn that came close to grandma's.

My grandpa would buy watermelon, cut it into moon shape pieces and hand them out to me and my cousins. We had the best time spitting the black seeds as far as we could. It was a skill that took practice.

Watching my children ride bikes transports me back to my days when my friends and I would spend hours riding our pink Huffy's. Mine was a special one indeed with its fine detailing, basket and horn. We rode like the wind. I still ride today, but I no longer have a pink bike, and it's just not the same. Oh how I miss my childhood friends.

The beach. Awwww...a place of refuge. I could wake up every morning to sound of the gentle waves and still never get enough. My two fave times: sunrise and sunset.

Cooking out with family is like a reunion of souls. Cooking outdoors is a rite of passage for my dearest. He seems right at home above the grill. I'm not a griller myself, but find much delight in watching him. I could swear it reminds me of a warrior holding his blade how he wields his grilling tools. I don't believe I'll ever understand the mind set behind this, but I don't have to. It's enough to know it's a pleasure for the one I love.

I hope everyone can tiptoe through their history and find memories that can never be replaced. What's most important though, make memories now that can be carrried down. Splash in the sprinkler, squirt water guns, ride in a tire swing, take your child's bike for a spin, fly a kite, eat watermelon and see who can spit the seeds the farthest. Enjoy the relaxing times.

Flaws anyone?

As a writer I love throwing in unexpected curve balls or twists that surprise the hell out of my readers. I don't want perfect characters, because life isn't perfect. I like to push the flaws right up to that invisible line of "you've gone too far." I enjoy writing true life situations with a bit of flair.

My characters are never perfect. In fact, sometimes they're downright impossible. Physically, they're flawed. Emotionally, they're wounded. And their bank accounts are not always oozing with cash. What I love in my characters is not the ability to be perfect, but instead the capability to be the best that they can be. Life is challenging. Unfortunately, people carry baggage. There needs to be a perfect balance between difficulty and success, and I believe that's what my readers want.

In the first book I contracted with Lyrical Press, Double Dare,   my hero was wounded in war. He had the physical and mental scars, and although brave and hard-ass that he was, he had to realize he was using his wounds to keep himself safe from getting hurt. Through each chapter Jag lowered his defenses. Second Chance Cowboy, another Lyrical Press eBook, is a story filled with raw emotion and defective relationship material. The story was based on loss and tragedy, and because of this my characters were deeply wouned. Not only did they recover from their sadness, but they found that the love they'd once shared was still in their hearts.

Maybe the next book I write will have a perfect main character--therefore, that will be the flaw.

Aphrodisiac or not?

Every culture has its ideas about what foods are aphrodisiacs. You've heard rumors about what foods increase one's libido, and maybe many who are reading this have sampled the items to test the theory. I decided to make a list of foods that are said to have sexual powers. Whether you indulge or not is entirely up to you.

Oysters

These slimy critters are historically said to have aphrodisiac elements. Outside of the sexual forum, oysters are healthy for you. They are low in fat, high in protein and a good source of essential nutrients. One of those is Zinc. This specific nutrient controls progesterone levels, which has an effect on the libido. Also, it is known that low levels of zinc can cause impotency in men. So whether you're a fan of oysters or not, you may just add this delicacy to your diet.

Look close at the shape of an oyster? Does it remind you of something? Many say it looks like the female sexual organ. Food for thought...

Alcohol

I'm sure you've heard that alcohol lowers a person's inhibitions. This is probably very true. If you've ever had a few too many you understand this all too well. Drunk people suddenly have super powers. That's just perception. Reality is though, alcohol numbs your intelligence, and other parts of your anatomy. Some are effected more than others. If romance is on your mind, think twice before you have a second or third round.

Nuts

Some nuts are believed to excite women...the smell, that is. Certain nuts are used in beauty products, herbal remedies and ancient cultures for many reasons. Like oysters, they are full of good for you nutrients. They are also known to get the blood flowing, and if you're thinking what I'm thinking, that's a very good thing.

Chocolate

This is probably my favorite. It's been said that some women prefer eating chocolate rather than having sex. I wouldn't go that far, but I do enjoy indulging in the treat. Chocolate is often associated with passion and sexual enjoyment. Chocolate releases chemicals in the brain that make us feel good. Why not dip strawberries into melted chocolate tonight and see where it lands you?


These are just a few foods that are said to have their power down under. Try them out and see for yourself.

The Smell of Books...

As a child I loved to read. I read my first romance novel at the age of 13 and I was hooked. What I remember about that Harlequin was three things; a sassy heroine, a bad-ass hero and the smell of the paper. There was nothing like flipping through pages with the rich smell of lumber.

I wonder if today's generation understands the "smell" of a hard copy book? The feeling of turning pages? Is the new eBook generation killing the old paperback novel? It's bittersweet, yet, change is unpreventable. Change is not always a bad thing. Maybe it's just about adapting, or rather, embracing a new way. This comes from someone who has a home library of about three-hundred books.

In today's fast-paced lifestyle, we want convenience. Bookstores might be a thing of the past like butchers.

What is more convenient than downloading an eBook to your eReader? It's usually just a simple click away.  It's definitely more economical.  

I guess the point of this is, kids of today will probably never understand the value of holding a real book in their hands. Today's kids are "techies." There is a positive outlook though. When given a choice to read a book from a hard copy or Kindle, which would most kids choose? I think we know the answer to that question...and where this is heading.

For those who are die-hard hard copy lovers, continue to relish in the delight of how the book feels in your hands. However, why not add an eReader to your enjoyment? It's certainly not a betrayal to feed your book addiction with what is convenient.

Check out my newest eBook release, Dreaming Ivy, at Lyrical Press: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_31&products_id=521 


Also, stop at my website for contests and news: www.rhondaleecarver.com